Thiruvananthapuram: Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will return to ODI cricket when India face the West Indies in the first match of the three-game series at the Greenfield International Stadium on September 27, with both veteran batters approaching significant career milestones.

The opening ODI will mark another chapter in the duo’s continuing association with India’s 50-over side. Both players have retired from Test and T20I cricket but remain part of India’s ODI plans. Shubman Gill will captain the Indian team in the series, which forms part of India’s preparations for the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup.

Kohli and Rohit also have strong individual records against the West Indies. Kohli has scored 2,261 runs in 43 ODIs against the Caribbean side, while Rohit has accumulated 1,613 runs in 37 matches.

Virat Kohli 59 runs away from 15,000 ODI mark

The biggest immediate milestone in sight is Virat Kohli’s 15,000 ODI-run mark.

Kohli currently has 14,941 runs from 314 ODIs and needs 59 more to become only the second batter in men’s ODI history to reach 15,000 runs, after Sachin Tendulkar. Kohli has scored 54 centuries and 79 fifties in the format, with a highest score of 183.

If Kohli reaches the landmark during the three-match series, he will also have the opportunity to become the fastest batter to 15,000 ODI runs, according to the report.

The West Indies have been one of Kohli’s most productive opponents. His 2,261 runs against them have come at an average of 66.50, including nine centuries and 11 fifties.

Kohli closing in on several Sachin Tendulkar records

Kohli’s milestone list extends beyond the 15,000-run mark.

The former India captain currently has 59 List-A centuries and needs two more to move past Tendulkar’s record of 60 List-A hundreds. He also has 41 international centuries in home conditions and requires two more to surpass Tendulkar’s tally of 42.

Another record within reach is Tendulkar’s mark for most ODI runs by a batter in home conditions.

Tendulkar accumulated 6,976 ODI runs in home conditions, while Kohli currently has 6,867 from 130 matches and 127 innings. Kohli therefore needs 110 more runs to move ahead of the former India batter in that category.

Kohli has also made a strong start to his ODI campaign in 2026. In six innings this year, he has scored 384 runs at an average of 64, with one century and three fifties.

Rohit Sharma eyes 12,000 ODI runs

Rohit Sharma is also approaching a major career landmark.

The India opener has scored 11,895 runs in 288 ODIs and needs 105 more to become the third Indian batter to reach 12,000 ODI runs, following Tendulkar and Kohli. Rohit has 34 ODI centuries and 62 fifties, with a highest score of 264.

Rohit is currently India’s third-highest ODI run-scorer behind Tendulkar and Kohli. Reaching 12,000 runs would place him alongside the two former India batting greats as the country’s only three players to cross the landmark in men’s ODIs.

The West Indies have also been a productive opponent for Rohit. He has scored 1,613 runs in 37 ODIs against them at an average of 57.60, including three centuries and 12 fifties.

Rohit nearing 10,000 runs as an opener

Rohit has another major milestone in sight as an opening batter.

He has scored 9,865 runs in 201 matches and 199 innings as an ODI opener. He therefore requires 135 more runs to become only the fourth opener to reach 10,000 runs in the format and the second Indian after Tendulkar.

Tendulkar remains the leading run-scorer among ODI openers, with 15,310 runs. Rohit’s achievement would add another milestone to his record at the top of India’s batting order.

Rohit and Kohli return after England series

The West Indies series will be the first ODI assignment for Rohit and Kohli since India’s tour of England earlier this year.

Rohit scored 175 runs in India’s three ODIs against England, including a century in the third match at Lord’s. He ended that series with an average of 58.33.

Kohli’s return will also attract attention as he closes in on several statistical landmarks. The 37-year-old has already established himself as India’s second-highest ODI run-scorer, while Rohit is third on the country’s all-time list.

The first ODI will also be played at a venue where Kohli has previously produced a notable performance. In two ODIs at Thiruvananthapuram, he has scored 199 runs without being dismissed, including an unbeaten 166 against Sri Lanka in January 2023.

India begin three-match ODI series

The first ODI between India and West Indies will be played at Thiruvananthapuram on September 27, with the match scheduled to begin at 2 pm IST. The second ODI will be held in Guwahati on September 30, followed by the third match in New Chandigarh on October 3.

India’s ODI squad is led by Shubman Gill, with Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja and other senior players included. The series is part of India’s preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup.

For Rohit and Kohli, the series provides an opportunity to add to their ODI records while helping India build towards the next World Cup cycle. With both batters close to multiple milestones, the opening match in Thiruvananthapuram will have additional statistical significance.